Titan Stone installation

Titan Stone is a rainscreen-friendly adhered veneer. It is only as durable as the drainage plane behind it, so the wall assembly is built before any stone is set.

1. 1

   Confirm the sheathing is sound, dry and fastened to framing 16" on center or tighter.

2. 2

   Install two layers of code-approved water-resistive barrier, lapped shingle-style a minimum of 4" horizontally and 6" vertically.

3. 3

   Flash all penetrations, window and door heads, and roof-to-wall intersections before the lath goes on.

4. 4

   Hold the veneer 4" above finished grade and 2" above paved surfaces, roofs and decks.

5. 5

   Install a weep screed at the base of the wall so any incidental water can drain and dry.

Metal lath and a scratch coat give the mortar something to bond to. Skipping or thinning the scratch coat is the most common cause of veneer failure.

1. 1

   Fasten 2.5 lb galvanized diamond-mesh lath with corrosion-resistant fasteners 6" on center vertically into framing.

2. 2

   Install lath cups-up so the mesh grips the mortar; lap 1" on sides and 2" on ends, and wrap corners a minimum of 16".

3. 3

   Apply a 1/2" scratch coat of Type S mortar and comb horizontal grooves while it is still plastic.

4. 4

   Let the scratch coat cure 24–48 hours and keep it damp in hot or windy conditions.

5. 5

   Dampen a dry scratch coat with a fine mist before setting stone so it does not pull water out of the mortar.

Corner units establish the coursing lines and the visual rhythm of the wall. Setting corners before field stone keeps joints consistent and hides cuts in low-visibility areas.

1. 1

   Dry-lay stone from three or four boxes on the ground and mix them so no two adjacent pieces share size, shape or tone.

2. 2

   Snap level layout lines every 16–24" up the wall as a coursing reference.

3. 3

   Set corner units first, alternating short and long returns up the corner so the joint pattern staggers.

4. 4

   Work from the corners into the field, and from the bottom of the wall upward.

5. 5

   Keep cut edges facing down or toward inside corners and openings where they will not be seen.

Each stone is back-buttered and pressed so mortar squeezes out on all four edges. Full contact is what keeps water out and prevents freeze-thaw pops.

1. 1

   Back-butter each stone with 1/2" of Type S mortar and bevel the edges toward the center.

2. 2

   Press and wiggle the stone into the scratch coat until mortar extrudes on every edge — target 100% coverage.

3. 3

   Hold a consistent 1/2" joint for ledgestone and rockface, or set Urban Stack and Linen Stack tight for a dry-stack look.

4. 4

   When the mortar is thumbprint firm, tool the joints with a jointer and brush off crumbs with a soft brush.

5. 5

   Strike the joints slightly recessed to emphasize the shadow line and shed water.

Titan Stone is integral through-color and needs no sealer, but the transitions and the first 48 hours of curing matter.

1. 1

   Caulk with a color-matched sealant where stone meets dissimilar materials such as trim, windows and doors.

2. 2

   Verify all sills, caps and projecting details slope a minimum of 1/4" per foot away from the wall.

3. 3

   Protect the finished wall from rain, direct sun and freezing for 48 hours.

4. 4

   Clean any haze with a stiff brush and clean water only, 7 days after installation.

5. 5

   Photograph the flashing and lath stages for the warranty file before they are covered.